The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2340

Ever since Ivy left, Balfour found himself lingering in the study until the wee hours before dragging himself to their shared bedroom.

Balfour felt hollow in the room without Ivy's presence, and he only returned to it when sleep claimed him, each moment within its walls a stark reminder that she was no longer by his side.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

The sound at the door jolted Balfour from his thoughts. For a fleeting second, he imagined it was Ivy, but the harsh reality quickly set in. Ivy had moved into her dorm, and there was no way she'd be standing outside his study. With a sigh, he masked his disappointment.

"Come in."

Mara entered with a warm smile and a glass of milk in hand. "Balfour, are you swamped tonight? You barely touched your dinner and headed straight here. Althea asked me to bring you a glass of milk."

Balfour watched her place the glass before him, wordlessly. His mind wandered back to when Ivy had first mentioned moving out. Would she have stayed if Mara hadn't come into their lives?

Mara blushed under Balfour's intense gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that, Balfour? Is there something on my face?"

Realizing he wouldn't find his answers in Mara's face, Balfour exhaled, shaking his head. "It's nothing. If you're done, please leave. I have work to finish."

But Mara, seemingly oblivious to his request, scanned the impressive study and asked, "Do you always work in here, Balfour? You hardly spend any time in the bedroom these days."